Bakhram Murtazaliev is now a major player in the 154-pound division. Photo Credit: Main Events
If you didn’t know who Bakhram Murtazaliev was before his three-round demolition of Tim Tszyu this past saturday you certainly do now.
Add the 31-year-old from Russia to the list of Eastern European junior middleweights who are clearly not here to pad the records of bigger name opponents. Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs), making the first defense of the IBF title he won in April, refuses to follow the scripts laid out by fans, media and oddsmakers – just like Uzbekistan’s Israel Madrimov and the Ukraine Serhii Bohachuk. These guys are here to kick ass.
And unlike Madrimov, who ran Terence Crawford close in a UD loss on Aug. 3, and Bohachuk, who had to settle for a majority decision a week later after a 12-round war with Vergil Ortiz Jr., Murtazliev did not have the result of his fight in the hands of the official judges.
The sharp, 6-foot boxer-puncher dropped heavily favored Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) four times in less than nine minutes of one-sided action.
Bakhram Murtazaliev caused a surprise stop Tim Tszyu in four. (Photo by Joseph Correa-Premier Boxing Champions)
“Murtazuliev made a real statement, stopping Tszyu in three rounds,” said Anson Wainwright. “I thought Murtaziliev was live, but wow! Still very impressive! Murtazuliev to number 3 and Tszyu to drop to number 7.”
No one on the Ring ratings panel disagreed with Wainwright’s junior middleweight propositions.
However, the panel disagreed with Wainwright’s suggestions for super middleweight, where previously not rated William Scull ranked at no. 6 enters after his close unanimous decision over Vladimir Shishkin in his adopted homeland of Germany.
Wainwright suggested that Shishkin (16-1, 10 KOs) move to no. 8 bag. The panel noted that Scull (23-0, 9 KOs), a 32-year-old Cuban now based in Berlin, and the 33-year-old Russian should be ranked next to each other given the close nature of their 12-round bout (which was stripped of the IBF title from unified Ring champion Canelo Alvarez).
“Scull and Shishkin belong no. 6 and no. to be 7,” said Adam Abramowitz. “That fight was a toss up as to who won. The most I’ve seen, Shishkin won.”
Tris Dixon, Abraham Gonzalez, Tom Grey, Jake Donovan, Michael Montero and Diego Morilla agreed with Abramowitz.
William Scull (left) takes a jab during his unanimous decision victory over Vladimir Shishkin in their vacant IBF super middleweight title fight on October 19 in Falkansee, Germany.
Photo credit: Torsten Helmke, AGON Sports
Wainwright also suggested dropping Leigh Woodwho reached the one-year inactivity mark earlier this month, from the featherweight rankings.
“Wood has been inactive for a year and while he has talked about fighting, nothing has come of it,” said Wainwright. “We can take him out, move everyone up and bring him in Bruce Carrington at no. 10. Or we can give Wood to Carrington-(Dana) Coolwell (happens next month) and if he doesn’t have something scheduled then make the switch? I’m cool anyway. I think maybe we’re waiting, but I understand it’s a year for Wood.”
answered Abramowitz: “Time to take Wood out.”
Added Grey: “I hate to take Leigh out at 126, but he’s been inactive for one year and has no intention of returning to this division. He exclaimed (Anthony) Cacace early October, so 130 is in his future. Depending on the return and results, he may be re-ranked at junior lightweight.”
Added Donovan: “We’ve pushed Carrington back enough to where he can finally enroll. Wood 100% needs to come out this week, he never fought again at 126 even though (the Josh) Warrington rematch worked out. Not to mention (Raymond) Ford will leave in three weeks and Veneno (Luis Alberto Lopez) once his team makes an official decision on his future.”
The rest of the panel agreed with Abramowitz and Donovan.
Leigh Wood, here celebrating his victory over Josh Warrington, leaves the 126-lb. top 10 after 168 weeks on the rankings. Photo by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Wood (28-3, 17 KOs), a two-time WBA titleholder who has wins over Warrington, Mauricio Lara, Xu Can and Michael Conlan (in The Ring’s 2022 Fight of the Year), has been in the featherweight rankings for 168 weeks .
RING GRADE UPDATE (as of October 19):
LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT – Anthony Yarde remains No. 4 after a 10-round decision over Ralfs Vilcans.
SUPER MIDDLE WEIGHT – Scull goes in at no. 6. Shishkin drops to no. 7.
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT – Murtazaliev advances to no. 3. Tszyu drops to no. 7.
JUNIOR LIGHT WEIGHT – Albert Batrygaziev remains number 10 after a four-round stoppage from Albert Pagara.
FEATHER WEIGHT – Wood leaves due to inactivity. Carrington (13-0, 8 KOs) ranks no. 10 in.
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